Is there a cure for a missing child?

Pleas Preparing Posturing Prevention

By now everyone is aware of the probation given George Edenfield for his previous offenses. In this story from the Oakland Press, this plea offer was declined to the bewilderment of most of those present.

A man suspected by Wayne County authorities in a series of child slayings three decades ago pleaded guilty Wednesday to 15 sex-related counts involving young boys, rather than accept a deal that would have required him to take a polygraph on the Oakland County Child Killer case.He refused and Wayne County prosecutors made him a second offer to reduce his sentence by 10 more years if he would submit to a polygraph test on the 1976 slayings of four children in Oakland County.

Plea bargains seem to be an inevitable part of the justice system. Most of the new child legislation calls for harsher penalties but provides for discretionary sentencing. Would they be so readily used if those offering them could be held criminally liable for future consequences?

Last summer, Casey Crowder a 17-year-old girl in Arkansas was allegedly abducted and murdered by Kenneth Osburn after running out of gas. It appears his attorney is preparing for trial by seeking a lesser penalty for his alleged crime.

10th Judicial District Prosecutor Thomas Deen said he did not object to the defense motion to allow more time to prepare for the hearing and trial. The trial, originally set for May, has been continued until Sept. 21-22 and Sept. 24-27.

Osburn’s attorney Jim Wyatt of Little Rock has filed dozens of motions in the case, including a motion to declare the death penalty cruel and unusual punishment, a motion to quash the charges, a motion to suppress statements Osburn allegedly made to law enforcement officers, and the motions for continuance.